Radium nasopharyngeal applicator



March 27, 1951 G. H. Lor-"rus 2,546,761

RADIUM NASOPHARYNGEAL APPLI'CATOR Filed Jan. 15, 1950 Patented Mar. 27, 1951 2,546,761 RADI'UM NASPHARYNGEAL APPLICATOR George H. Loftus, Ridgewood, N. J., assigner to Radium Chemical Com N. Y., a corporation of pany Inc., New York, New York Application January 13, 1950, Serial No. 138,360

1 Claim.

My invention pertains to radium nasopharyngeal applicators particularly designed for treatment of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx.

In applicators heretofore used for treating lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx with radium, the radium bearing material has been enclosed in a separate tube which has been threadedly attached to a rod-like handle. The radium carrying tubes of such prior applicators have been of larger diameter than the rod-like handles to which the tubes were threadedly attached so that an enlargement or shoulder was present at the point of connection between these parts.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a new and improved construction for radium nasopharyngeal applicators which eliminates the need for a separate tube for the radium bearing material and a threaded connection between such tube and a rod-like handle.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved radium nasopharyngeal applicator which encloses the radium bearing material in a rod-like part of uniform size and smooth exterior.

A further object of my invention is to provide a new and improved radium nasopharyngeal applicator which may be readily and inexpensively made of conventional materials by the utilization of existing manufacturing procedures.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but on a larger scale and with parts cut away to reveal details of internal construction;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional View illustrating one way of sealing in the radium bearing material; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing another method of sealing in the radium bearing material.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 it will be seen that my novel applicator comprises an elongated rod Il) of uniform outside diameter and having a smooth external surface throughout its exposed length. The rod I may be formed of Monel metal or other suitable material and is threadedly attached at one end to a handle part I2 as indicated at I4 in Fig. 2. The handle part I2 may be formed of steel or any other suitable material and is preferably provided with a knurled external surface to facilitate nice manipulation of the applicator during a treatment.

The end of the rod I0 which is remote from the metal part I2 is drilled to provide a recess I6 for receiving the radium bearing material I8. The extreme free end of the rod I0 is preferably provided With an internal thread for receiving a (Cl. 12S-1.2)

2 threaded plug such as the plug 2U of Fig. 3 or the plug 22 of Fig. 4.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 3 the plug 20 may be part of a threaded rod 24 which is screwed into the free end of the rod Il) and then cut one even with the end of the rod i0. Solder 26 may then be applied to the end of the plug 2i? and rod I0 to prevent removal of the plug. This solder is preferably formed to provide a rounded end which facilitates insertion of the applicator without injury to the patients tissues.

In the alternative construction of Fig. 4 the plug 22 has a threaded end of reduced diameter which screws into the end of the rod I0 and an enlarged end of the same diameter as rod I0 which constitutes a continuation thereof. This enlarged end serves as a means for screwing the plug into the rod I0 and as indicated at 28 to facilitate insertion of the applicator into the nasal passages. An annular recess 36 is preferably provided between the endV vof the rod I0 and the enlarged part of the plug 22. This recess is lled with solder to render the plug non-removable.

While I have illustrated and described in detail only two embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular details shown but includes all variations, modifications, and equivalents coming within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A nasopharyngeal applicator for treating with radium comprising an elongated rod of one piece construction and of uniform external diameter, said rod having a handle part at one end and an elongated chamber drilled in the other end thereof, radium bearing material in said chamof said rod terminating in an internally threaded part, and a non-removable closure for said chamber secured to said threaded part and sealing said chamber, said closure and rod `being soldered to form a smooth joint and prevent separation of said closure and rod, said applicator having a smooth outer surface for insertion into a nasal passage and a rounded end surface merging into said rstnamed surface.

GEORGE' H. LOFTUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS is preferably rounded 

